Tea Time is Special Time
Hello, again! It is my hope for us, that we take the time each day to enjoy our lives – and that includes our tea time. I wish I were sitting with you now, enjoying a lovely cup of our favorite tea and having a wonderful conversation. I’d love to know about your latest tea finds. Although I’m not with you now, I hope to see you soon!
While I’m writing this post,
I’m drinking a bracing cup of Basilur Ceylon Orange Pekoe tea with a splash of Silk Almond Milk. I made a pot of tea in my smaller 3-cup green teapot using 3 teabags. Once the tea steeped for 5 minutes (recommended time for their black tea was 3 to 5 minutes), I poured the tea into a lovely cup by Lenox in the Ambassador Collection Newbury Square pattern. I enjoyed using a more decorative cup and saucer this morning!
When we recently traveled to Cape Cod for a family vacation, Rich and I went to the Christmas Tree Shop (of course!). As we were shopping, we noticed a decorative box of 60 assorted tea bags, called the Basilur Tea Gift Collection Specialty Classics box. The box was on sale. So I had to try them! The tea is by a company called Basilur which is located on the island of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was formerly called Ceylon and the company choose to keep the Ceylon name for its teas. This is my first time for trying Basilur tea – I recommend them for a strong cup!
While we were down the Cape,
our wonderful friend Anita came to visit! Here you see Anita and my daughter Emily happily enjoying their mugs of tea. Rich thoughtfully made us each a different type of tea. I had Basilur Earl Grey with almond milk and raw sugar, Anita had her Bigelow Constant Comment with a sweetener, and Emily had her Basilur Darjeeling with almond milk. Emily decided that she prefers a milder tea, but trying new teas is part of the adventure! All different. All so enjoyable. Tea is so versatile!
While drinking tea and having a wonderful time, we also did a challenging 1000 piece Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle. We found the pre-owned puzzle in one the many thrift shops that we scouted! All the pieces were there, thankfully.
Emily and I often do jigsaw puzzles at home. Puzzles by Ravensburger are a favorite. I especially like the Ravensburger puzzles with the XXLarge pieces – easier to hold and to see!
Our Mint is Growing!
As the mint in our backyard is spreading out too far, it was time to pick it. Again. Here you see the mint drying on a plate on my kitchen counter. This mint will be used for tea. There’s already so much mint in my refrigerator that is used for cooking.
To make mint tea, I put about 6 leaves (or two heaping tablespoons) in a diffuser in a mug, add boiling water, and let steep for about 5 minutes. I like a little raw sugar in my mint tea. This mint tea smells amazing and is so soothing!
Speaking of Raw Sugar…
There are so many lovely sweeteners and vegan milks to add to tea. And depending on the type of tea and the time of day, I will add different types of sweeteners and vegan milks. Or none at all. I often like almond milk or soy milk in a black tea. At night, I’ll also add Sugar in the Raw to my black teas. Sugar in the Raw is a sugar that is vegan. Not all sugars are processed in a way that is vegan. I’ve tried agave, which is also vegan, but prefer the taste of sugar.
I love to use my vintage creamers and sugar bowls. It’s no surprise that I own many of them and keep them accessible for easy use. It’s important to use often the lovely items that I have and not save them for “best.” In this way, I can regularly appreciate and enjoy them.
Here is a photo of some of my creamers and sugar bowls. All are vintage – many belonged to my Mother and others were collected by Rich and me at different times. Since they are lovely but not expensive, my creamer and sugar bowl purchases are limited by the storage space in my kitchen and dining room cabinets!
The photo also includes the Silk Soy Milk, Silk Almond Milk, and Sugar in the Raw that I prefer. Sugar in the Raw also comes in bulk in a large container, which wastes less paper for the wrappers. I have that too.
For our next tea party conversation, please comment…
What do you like in your tea – Sugar? Other Sweetener? Milk? As is? Does what you like in your tea depend on its type? Your mood? The time of day?
Please let us know.
And let us know when you are enjoying a cup at home or out of the house!